The Harlow Multi-Agency Centre (MAC) drop-in service is now ready to launch!
The aim of the MAC is to bring together a range of partner agencies in one place, making it easier for people to access the advice, guidance and support they need. By working together, the MAC can provide a more joined-up approach and improve outcomes for the people they support.
Everyone needs a little support sometimes. MAC Harlow is your one-stop shop for practical support, advice and guidance – whatever you’re dealing with. This could be:
Housing, rent and council tax
Benefits, budgeting and debt
Work, education and training
Social care
Mental health
Volunteering
Homelessness
Domestic abuse
Drugs and alcohol
It’s free and open to everyone – no referral needed.
When: Last Thursday of each month from 10:00-12:00, starting 27th August 2026
The Essex Alliance is sharing this opportunity on behalf of Mind in West Essex.
Mind in West Essex have a few places remaining for their Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider®) training on July 29-30! 📆
The 2-day course will train you to provide first-level support and early intervention – whether it’s in your workplace, a volunteer role, or the community.
You’ll gain:
The knowledge, awareness and skills to spot signs of a person experiencing poor mental health;
The confidence to start a conversation and signpost a person to appropriate help;
The support to feel empowered and motivated to carry out the role.
After the course, you’ll be able to join England’s largest community of trained MHFAiders – gaining access to exclusive resources, ongoing learning, and 24/7 digital support.
Mind in West Essex have added several new dates for their online Suicide Awareness workshops. The sessions are free for anyone who lives in Harlow, Uttlesford or Epping Forest (or £30 for people outside of West Essex).
This 2.5-hour workshop aims to give you the knowledge and confidence to have supportive conversations with people who are feeling suicidal, so they can access the help they need.
It covers everything from the law, language, statistics and stigma around suicide to risk factors, possible warning signs, having supportive conversations and available support and resources.
Mid and North East Essex Mind are pleased to offer new Suicide Awareness workshops for organisations and the communities of Mid and North East Essex. This course is designed to help you have potentially life-saving conversations and provide practical tools to help stay calm, respond with confidence, and know what to say (and what not to say) when someone may be at risk. It looks at warning signs, and how to hold a supportive and boundaried conversation, whilst connecting the person to the right kind of help – without taking on the role of a therapist or clinician.
During this workshop, participants will:
– Discuss warning signs to look out for, even when the person may not be engaged with mental health services or specifically have spoken about suicide
– Learn appropriate language to use when talking about suicide
– Explore strategies for self-care both during and after conversations about suicide.
The Essex Alliance is sharing this news on behalf of Vita Health Group and their NHS Talking Therapy service.
A ‘Move for Your Mind’ course is now available via NHS Talking Therapies, which is designed to support you with gently increasing activity whilst managing your long-term health condition.
Do you find it difficult to maintain regular exercise or a physical activity routine?
Do you notice that changes in how much you’re able to move can affect your emotional wellbeing?
This course is designed for people living with physical health conditions, offering support at your own pace, in a way that works for you.
What You’ll Learn
Understanding links between physical and mental health
How physical activity can benefit your emotional wellbeing
Help with managing worry, overthinking or self-criticism
Mind in West Essex has moved to a new base in Harlow. After more than 14 years at the Bush Fair hub, all Harlow services and staff are now based at the new site, Mind Sanctuary (the former Osler House GP surgery), located at Prentice Place, Potter Street, Harlow, CM17 9BG.
The move marks an exciting new chapter for the charity, providing a refreshed and welcoming space for their services, staff, and the local community. While the offices remain closed to the public over the Christmas and New Year period, the crisis alternatives continue to operate as usual during the evenings to ensure ongoing support.
Later in 2026, they will be celebrating the new Harlow home with a community open day for local residents and businesses, followed by a formal opening event.
To stay up to date with these plans and other news from Mind in West Essex,
Key dates for the move to the new site and our Christmas opening hours:
Christmas Eve (Wednesday): At 1pm, we close our doors at Bush Fair for the last time.
Christmas Day (Thursday) to Sunday, December 28: Our offices are closed to the public (however our crisis alternatives will remain open every evening as usual).
From Monday, December 29: All Harlow services and staff based at Mind Sanctuary.
Thursday, January 1: Offices closed for New Years Day bank holiday (except crisis alternatives).
From Monday, January 5: We welcome back our community activity groups, based at Mind Sanctuary for the first time.
This half-day session is for anyone who has previously completed the Qualified MHFAider® course.We recommend that MHFAiders® attend a Refresher course every three years.
The four-hour MHFA Refresher course gives you the chance to:
✅ Renew your skills
✅ Update your knowledge of mental health support
✅ Practice applying the Mental Health First Aid action plan
✅ Access three years of MHFAider® Support and Benefits
Find out more about Mental Health First Aid training here.
Are you passionate about supporting people’s mental wellbeing and ready to make a real difference in your community? Join us at Mind in West Essex as a PCN Mental Health Coach in the North Uttlesford area (Saffron Walden / Uttlesford North).
The Role: You’ll be the go-to contact for patients on their mental health journey – helping them access services, overcome barriers, and connect with what they need to thrive.
You’ll liaise with multi-disciplinary teams, support patients from referral to engagement, and champion person-centred recovery.
We’re Looking For You If You Have: ✔ Excellent communication & organisational skills ✔ A positive, flexible, problem-solving mindset ✔ Experience of mental health (professional or personal) ✔ Ability to work independently & as part of a team ✔ Good IT skills & willingness to learn
Why Join Us? Working with Mind in West Essex means being part of a friendly, values-driven charity with a vision of open, positive conversations around mental health and full respect and support for everyone.
